Virat Kohli's recent strike rate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has sparked discussions, but the national selection committee's focus was elsewhere as they named him in the squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies. Kohli, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, has amassed 500 runs in 10 matches in IPL 2024, boasting an impressive average of 71.43, inclusive of a century and four half-centuries.
Despite his strike rate hovering around 147.49, which some critics argue has slowed down RCB's pace, the selection committee, led by Chairman Ajit Agarkar, emphasized that Kohli's strike rate wasn't a significant consideration.
Agarkar clarified that Kohli's form in the IPL didn't raise any concerns regarding his inclusion in the World Cup squad. Despite RCB's low standing in the IPL points table, Kohli's performance has been noteworthy. Agarkar highlighted the importance of experience and adapting to the different pressures of international cricket compared to IPL matches.
Regarding the selection of Rohit Sharma as captain, despite him leading his franchise, Agarkar defended the decision, emphasizing the need for a strong leader. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the IPL's influence on selection decisions but stressed the importance of long-term planning and considering various factors beyond just recent performances.
One of the key decisions the committee faced was the exclusion of K.L Rahul, despite his stellar IPL 2024 performance. Rahul, the Lucknow Super Giants captain and one of the top scorers in the IPL, was omitted in favor of Kerala batter Sanju Samson. Agarkar explained that they were looking for a middle-order batsman, whereas Rahul primarily bats at the top, whereas Samson's versatility to bat down the order was considered advantageous. The committee believed that Samson and Rishabh Pant, who has been batting lower down the order for Delhi Capitals, were better suited for the team's requirements in the T20 World Cup.
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